Foldable carrying device

ABSTRACT

The carrying device of the present invention provides a unique construction which allows a user to collapse and store the carrying device in a way that allows it to be deployed, set-up quickly, and packed away again. The carrying device of the present invention comprises a back panel, a front panel, a bottom panel and side panels. When the panels of the carrying device are zipped together, the carrying device provides a convenient enclosure for storing and carrying items. When the panels of the carrying device are unzipped, the carrying device may be collapsed to a compact shape for easy storage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/029,047, filed on Feb. 15, 2008, to the extent allowed by law.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A collapsible carrying device, useful as luggage is described. Thecarrying device includes foldable side and front panels which partiallydetach from each other, thus permitting folding the carrying device intoa compact shape.

BACKGROUND

In modern society, luggage or carrying devices are an unavoidablenecessity of every day life. People need comfortable and convenientcarrying devices that allow them to go about their life, work, andtravel, in an easy way. Such carrying devices are generally referred toas luggage items, bags, containers, or the like. People use these itemsto carry work-related material to their offices, or to carry othertraveling accessories on business trips, vacations, or the like. Quiteoften people travel with their small dogs, cats, birds or other petanimals, and such carrying devices may also be used for carrying petanimals.

It would be desirable to have a luggage product or carrying device thatmay be stored in a compact manner when not in use. Additionally, itwould be further desirable to have a luggage product which may becollapsed and stored in a way that allows it to be deployed, set-upquickly, and packed away again when necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A carrying device according to the principles of the present inventionis manufactured to provide a unique method of opening and closing thecarrying device. The carrying device of the present invention alsoprovides a unique construction which allows a user to collapse and storethe carrying device in a way that allows it to be deployed, set-upquickly, and packed away again. An embodiment of the carrying device ofthe present invention provides a single closing apparatus, such as azipper for example, to be used to close the entire carrying device.

The carrying device of the present invention comprises a back panel, abottom panel foldably connected to the back panel, a front panelconnected to the bottom panel, a right side panel connected to the rightedge of the back panel, a left side panel connected to the left edge ofthe back panel, and a zipper having a first side attached to the leftand right edges of the back panel and the left, right and top edges ofthe front panel, and a second side of the zipper attached to bottom,front and top edges of the left side panel, a top edge of the back paneland bottom, front and top edges of the right side panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the appended claims set forth the features of the present patentwith particularity, the patent, together with its objects andadvantages, may be best understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, ofwhich:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a side view and a rear view respectively of acarrying device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a bottom view and a top view respectively ofa carrying device according to the embodiment of the present inventionshown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 2C is a detailed view of a loop webbing structure on the back panelof an embodiment of the carrying device of the present invention whichcan be used to secure the carrying device in a desired location;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the carrying device of the presentinvention as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the carrying device in apartially open position;

FIG. 4 is a view of a carrying device of the present invention with anopen zipper;

FIG. 5 is a sequential series of illustrations showing the carryingdevice of the present invention as it is folded into a compact shape;

FIGS. 6A and 6B provide close-up views of the foot of the carryingdevice according to the principles of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C provide detailed perspective, plan, and top views,respectively, of the foot of the carrying device of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a wheel assembly attached to a back panel ofthe carrying device of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C provide detailed views of the wheel assembly of thecarrying device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the carrying device ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sequential series of illustrations showing the carryingdevice of FIG. 10 as it is folded into a compact shape;

FIG. 12 illustrates a comparison of the storing of the carrying deviceof FIG. 11 as compared to other carrying devices currently on themarket; and

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the carrying device of the presentinvention for use as a back pack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

A carrying device according to the principles of the present inventionis manufactured to provide a unique method of opening and closing thecarrying device. The carrying device of the present invention includes aunique construction which allows a user to collapse and store thecarrying device in a way that allows it to be deployed, set-up quickly,and packed away again. An embodiment of the carrying device disclosedherein allows a single closing apparatus, such as a zipper for example,to be used to close the entire carrying device.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a carrying device 10 according to theprinciples of the present invention includes an enclosure 10 on a wheelassembly that can either be carried or wheeled around by the user (notshown). As further illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the carrying device10 includes a right side panel 12 connected foldably to a right edge 14of a back panel 16 of the carrying device 10. The right side panel 12comprises a bottom edge 18, a front edge 20, a rear edge 17, and a topedge 22. The carrying device 10 further comprises a left side panel 24also foldably connected to a left edge 26 of the back panel 16 of thecarrying device 10. (Shown in FIG. 3). The left side panel 24 alsocomprises a bottom edge 19, a front edge 21, a rear edge 25 and a topedge 23.

FIG. 2 further illustrates additional views of the embodiment of thecarrying device 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown in 2A, a bottompanel 28 of the carrying device 10, foldably connects to the back panel16. FIG. 2A also shows a dashed line denoting an area 30 of the carryingdevice 10 where a plastic board or other similar rigid material (noteshown) may be installed, in an embodiment, at the bottom panel 28 of thecarrying device 10 to provide support for cargo placed thereon. A foot32 may also be secured to the bottom panel 28 at 30 via a rivet or othersimilar fastener through fabric or other material of the bottom panel28. FIG. 2B also illustrates a top view of a front panel 34 of thecarrying device 10. The front panel 34 is foldably connected to thebottom panel 28 at a front edge 29 of the bottom panel (shown in FIG.3). In one embodiment, the front panel 34 may be made of a flexiblematerial. FIG. 2C also illustrates an embodiment of the carrying device10 wherein a loop 36 of webbing or other similar material may bestitched into a binding 38 on the edge of the back panel 16 of thecarrying device 10. Such loop 36 may have a button 40 or similarfastening mechanism that may be used to secure a second end of the loop36 to the back panel 16 of the carrying device 10. Such loop 36 may beused to secure the carrying device 10 to a seat belt (not shown), to thetop of a vehicle (not shown), or to some other location. While theembodiment disclosed here shows the button 40 in black, one of ordinaryskill in the art would appreciate that alternate color studs may also beused.

In FIG. 3, right side panel 12 and left side panel 24 of the carryingdevice 10 and the front panel 34 of the carrying device 10 have beenopened using a zipper 42 that connects the front panel 34 and the rightside panel 12 and left side panel 24 to the bottom panel 28 and backpanel 16 of the carrying device 10. The zipper 42 has a first side 44that is attached to a left edge 46 and a right edge 48 of the bottompanel 28 and a left edge 50, a right edge 52, and a top edge 54 of thefront panel 34. The zipper 42 also has a second side 56 that is attachedto a bottom edge 19, a front edge 21, and a top edge 23 of the left sidepanel 24, a top edge 58 of the back panel 16, and the bottom edge 18,the front edge 20, and top edge 22 of the right side panel 12. FIG. 3also shows a telescopic handle 60 attached to the back panel 16 of thecarrying device 10 and a wheel assembly 62 attached to the bottom panel28 of the carrying device 10 (also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In anembodiment of the present invention, the carrying device 10, where thefront panel 34 and the bottom panel 28 are joined together, the backpanel 16 and the bottom panel 28 are reinforced rigid material and arejoined together by a hinge 64 to provide support to the structure of thecarrying device 10. Examples of a rigid reinforcing material may includeplastic and other similar materials. In an embodiment, the hinge 64 maybe made of a metal, a semi-rigid plastic material, a fabric, or othersimilar materials. In another embodiment, the front panel 34 may be madeof flexible material. The left side panel and the right side panel mayalso be made of a flexible material. Examples of flexible material inthe present invention may include fabric and other similar materials.The left side panel 24 and right side panel 12 are separated from thebottom panel 28, and the front panel 34 by a zipper 42. Each of the leftand right side panels 24, 12 may be attached to the back panel 16 by ahinge 65 along a rear edge 17, 25 of the left side panel 24 and theright side panel 12. In a still further embodiment, the outer perimeterof the left and right side panels 12, 24 may enclose a stiff wire member(not shown) that holds the fabric side of the left and right side panels24, 12 taut. Additionally, in an embodiment of the present invention,the front panel 34 may be made of a mesh material which allows aircirculation in and out of the carrying device. In another embodiment, aportion of the left side panel 24 and the right side panel 12 may alsobe constructed from a mesh or similar material to allow air circulationin and out of the carrying device. In another embodiment, a portion ofthe left side panel 24 and the right side panel 12 may also beconstructed from a transparent material.

FIG. 4 illustrates the carrying device 10 of the present inventionzippered open and laying on the back panel 16 with the front panel 34laid on the same surface as the back panel 16. In use, the carryingdevice 10 of the present invention has a first closed position forholding cargo and other items in the carrying device 10. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, the carrying device 10 canbe easily folded into a compact form from these positions. As shown inFIG. 5, the carrying device 10 of the present invention has a secondcollapsed position for easy storage that results from the foldableconstruction of the carrying device 10. In FIG. 5, the carrying device10 is shown in its fully usable position at 66 on the top left andsubsequent images from left to right and top to bottom illustrate thefolding of the carrying device 10, such that the carrying device 10 iscompletely folded in a compact form as shown in the bottom right imageat 68. In the folded position 68, a user can extend a strap 70horizontally to secure the front panel 34 and the left and right sidepanels 28, 12 to the back panel 16 via button 40 on loop 36. In theillustrated embodiment button 40 is a press button. However, otherfasteners known in the art may be used. In alternative embodiments, thebutton 40 and loop 41 may be placed in different locations along theback panel 16.

As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, the foldingprocess for the carrying device 10 of the present invention is muchsimpler than that for other carrying device products in the field. Asshown in FIG. 3, a user unzips the zipper 42 downward along the frontpanel 34. When a user has reached about halfway down the front of thecarrying device 10, the user then unbuttons the retaining strap 70.Next, the user lays the carrying device 10 on its back panel 16 andcontinues to unzip until the zipper 42 reaches the end of the frontpanel 34. As shown at 67 in FIG. 5, and similar to FIG. 4, the frontpanel 34 and the back panel 16 now rest on a parallel surface 11.Finally, the user folds the left and right side panels 24, 12 in towardsa center of the carrying device 10 and folds the bottom panel 28 down ontop of the right and left side panels 12, 24 as shown in FIG. 5 at 69.The straps 36 on the back panel 16 of the carrying device 10, which canbe used to retain the carrying device 10 in a vehicle (not shown)through the use of a lap belt as discussed above, may also be used tomaintain the item in a folded position as shown in FIG. 5. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, one or more steps in foldingthe carrying device 10 described herein may be taken in an alternativeorder or eliminated if necessary. The carrying device 10 may furthercomprise a strap attached to the back panel 16 that attaches to a claspattached to the bottom panel 28 to keep the carrying device in a closedposition. (not shown)

The construction of the carrying device 10 of the present inventionallows the carrying device to be stiff and ridged in the open orexpanded position to provide support for carrying cargo, pets, or otheritems. At the same time when not in use, the carrying device of thepresent invention may be folded flat to aid with shipping and storage.

FIG. 6 provides further detail of the foot 32 that may be attached tothe carrying device 10 of the present invention to stabilize and supportthe additional weight of the carrying device 10 at points 31 and 33 whenthe carrying device 10 is in use. When the carrying device 10 is in theopen position to hold items, the foot 32 provides a shelf 72 that helpssupport the right and left side panels 12, 24 of the carrying device 10.FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C provide views of an embodiment of the foot 32 asdescribed above. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate,in other embodiments, the foot 32 may be designed in an alternativemanner.

In an embodiment of the carrying device 10 of the present invention, thewheel assembly 62 may be secured to the back panel 16 of the carryingdevice 10 in line with the telescopic handle 60 for convenient pullingor carrying of the carrying device 10. The foot assembly 32 may besecured to reinforced material 30 in the bottom panel 28 via a rivetfastener or the like (note shown). In an alternative design the rightand left side panels 12, 24 of the carrying device 10 may have a stiffstructure (not shown) around the entire perimeter of the carrying device10. Additionally, the bottom panel 28 may have a stiff structure (notshown). When zippered closed such that the carrying device 10 is in aposition to carry items and other cargo, the right and left side panels12, 24 of the carrying device 10 and the foot 32 help keep the carryingdevice 10 rigid for maximum support of items in the carrying device 10.In an embodiment, a wheel assembly 62 may be attached to the back panel16. (See FIG. 8) In alternative embodiments, the wheel assembly 62 maybe attached to the bottom panel 28. The wheel assembly 62 is designed toallow effective use and flexibility for various designs and materials ofconstruction that may selected for the carrying device 10 of the presentinvention. FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C provide additional detail of theassembly illustrated in FIG. 8. While the illustrated embodimentsinclude a wheel assembly 62, in an alternative embodiment, analternative wheel assembly may be used or the wheel assembly may beavoided altogether.

The carrying device 10 is designed to be very simple and very easy touse, requiring only hand pressure to collapse and store. Moreover, thecarrying device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the sides,front and base being foldably attached or hinged to the back panel 16.In an alternative embodiment of the carrying device 10, the sides, frontand base attached to the back panel can be alternatively hinged to thebase 16.

In an alternative embodiment, a carrying device 100 is shown in FIG. 10.A front panel 134, back panel 116 and bottom panel 128 are joinedtogether, with the back panel 116 and bottom panel 128 being made of arigid material and joined together by hinge 151. The front panel 134 isconstructed from a flexible material. The left side panel 124 and rightside panel 112 are separated from the bottom and front panels 128, 134by a zipper 142. Each of the right and left side panels 112, 124 areattached and hinged along a back edge 161 of the side panel 112, 124with a hinge 162 connected to a side 114, 126 of the back panel 116. Theouter perimeter of the left and right side panels 112, 124 has a stiffwire member that holds each of the right and left side panels 112, 124taut. The right and left side panels 112, 124 are zippered open and foldinto the carrying device 100 as shown at 188 and 190 in FIG. 11. Thefront panel 134 may fold on top as shown at 192 and 194. The additionalfeatures of the embodiment of the carrying device 100 shown in FIG. 10are similar to the features and operation of the carrying device 10shown in FIGS. 1-9 and previously discussed above.

As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate a number ofdifferent embodiments or improvements could be made to the carryingdevice disclosed herein which would be considered to be covered by thepresent invention.

The carrying device disclosed herein may be shipped either fullyassembled, or flat, in which case it may require some customer assembly.In an embodiment of the carrying device, VELCRO may be used to attachvarious components together.

FIG. 12 illustrates a comparison of the carrying device of the presentinvention with a carrying device that is much more cumbersome to carryand does not allow the compact structure allowed by the carrying deviceof the present invention. Therefore the carrying device of the presentinvention may be more appealing to the end user compared to otherproducts presently in the market.

FIG. 13 illustrates the carrying device 10 of the present invention inuse as a back pack.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of thispatent may be applied, it should be recognized that the embodimentsdescribed herein with respect to the drawing figures are meant to beillustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope ofpatent. For example, for performance reasons one or more components ofthe apparatus of the present patent may be implemented in alternativeform and material. Therefore, the patent as described hereincontemplates all such embodiments as may come within the scope of thefollowing claims and equivalents thereof.

1. A carrying device device, comprising: a back panel, the back panelcomprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge; abottom panel connected foldably to the back panel; a front panelconnected to a front edge of the bottom panel, the front panel having aleft edge, a right edge, and a top edge; a right side panel comprising abottom edge, a front edge, a top edge, and a rear edge, the rear edge ofthe right side panel connected foldably to the right edge of the backpanel; a left side panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a topedge and a rear edge, the rear edge of the left side panel connectedfoldably to the left edge of the back panel; and a zipper having a firstside attached to the left and right edges of the bottom panel and theleft, right and top edges of the front panel; and a second side of thezipper attached to the bottom, front and top edges of the left sidepanel, a top edge of the back panel and the bottom, front and top edgesof the right side panel.
 2. The carrying device of claim 1 wherein theback panel is constructed of at least one of a rigid material, and aflexible material having a rigid edge.
 3. The carrying device of claim1, wherein the bottom panel is constructed of at least one of a rigidmaterial, and a flexible material having a rigid edge.
 4. The carryingdevice of claim 1, further comprising a wheel assembly attached to theback panel.
 5. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the front panelis connected to the bottom panel via a hinge.
 6. The carrying device ofclaim 1, further comprising a telescopic handle attached to the backpanel.
 7. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge, frontedge and top edge of the left side panel and the bottom edge, front edgeand top edge of the right side panel further comprise a stiff wiremember.
 8. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the front panelfurther includes a strap, the strap having a first end and second end,the first end attached to the left side of the front panel, the secondend attached to the right edge of the front panel, wherein the strapenables an attachment of the front panel to the left and the right sidepanels.
 9. The carrying device of claim 4, wherein the wheel assembly isdetachably connected to the back panel.
 10. The carrying device of claim4 wherein the wheel assembly is connected to the back panel.
 11. Thecarrying device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a footassembly connected to the bottom panel and a telescopic handle connectedto the back panel.
 12. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the frontpanel is made of a mesh material that allows air circulation in and outof the carrying device.
 13. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein atleast a portion of the left side panel and a portion of the right sidepanel are made of a mesh material that allows air circulation in and outof the carrying device.
 14. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein atleast a portion of the left side panel and a portion of the right sidepanel are made of a transparent material.
 15. The carrying device ofclaim 1, further comprising a seat belt holder attached to the backpanel.
 16. The carrying device of claim 5, wherein the hinge is made ofa material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a semi-rigidplastic material, and a fabric material.
 17. The carrying device ofclaim 1, further comprising a flexible adjustable strap attached to theback panel.
 18. The carrying device of claim 1 which converts to abackpack, the carrying device comprising: at least one flexibleadjustable strap having a first end and a second end; the first endconnected to the side panel of the carrying device; the second endconnected to the back panel of the carrying device; wherein the flexibleadjustable strap permits wearing the carrying device.
 19. The carryingdevice of claim 1 having a first open position for carrying items and asecond collapsed position for storage.
 20. A carrying device device,comprising: a back panel, the back panel comprising a top edge, a bottomedge, a right edge, and a left edge; a bottom panel, wherein the bottompanel is connected foldably to the back panel; a front panel connectedto the bottom panel, the front panel having a left edge, a right edge,and a top edge; a right side panel comprising a bottom edge, a frontedge, a top edge, and a rear edge, the rear edge of the right side panelconnected via a hinge structure to the right edge of the back panel; aleft side panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a top edge, anda rear edge, the rear edge of the left side panel connected via a hingestructure to the left edge of the back panel; and a zipper having afirst side attached to the left and right edges of the bottom panel andthe left, right and top edges of the front panel; and a second side ofthe zipper attached to the bottom, front and top edges of the left sidepanel, a top edge of the back panel and the bottom, front and top edgesof the right side panel.